What is an Infant Carrier Seat?
Parents have two options when choosing the right car seat for their infant: infant car seats and convertible car seats. Car seats for infants are suitable for rear-facing use, so they have a shorter lifespan.
Infant carriers can be used with strollers. (Adapters are sold separately). This creates an entire travel system. Parents can quickly take their child out of the car and into a stroller, without disturbing their sleep.
Safety
Many parents are worried about the security of an infant's carrier seat, particularly when they buy one for the first time. As with all car seats available on the market, an infant carrier seat is designed to be as secure as possible to protect your baby during a crash. Most of the time, they are positioned with the infant facing to the rear. This makes them the ideal choice for infants who are at the greatest chance of being injured in an accident.
They also come with extra padding to offer head protection, and lower anchors that hold the seat to the chassis of the vehicle in the event in the event of an accident. This is particularly important for young infants with large necks and heads that can be easily injured by the sudden stopping or collision. In addition, most infant carrier seats are designed to work with strollers to create a travel system that can easily be moved from your car to the stroller, and back without causing any disturbance to your child.
Additionally, most infant car seats come with a base that can be fitted in other vehicles to allow you to take your child along with you no matter where you go. This is a great option for parents who use taxis or ride-sharing services frequently. It can also make travelling with a baby on planes a lot easier.
Some infant carrier seats can be put on strollers that don't have an base. This lets you ensure your child's safety throughout all sorts of trips and adventures. This is a great option for grandparents who want to help with transporting your child, too!
It is crucial to keep in mind that an infant carrier is not meant to be left unattended on a soft surface. Babies could tip over or roll over, causing injuries or even suffocation. This is why you should always be sure to read the safety guidelines carefully before using an infant car seat in a different area.
Portability
Many infant car seats are offered as part of a "travel system", which is a combination of the car seat base and frame of the stroller. These connect to provide seamless transitions. Travel systems are ideal for babies as they allow parents to move their baby from the car to the stroller and back without having to awake them. This is the primary reason why more than 80% of Babylist parents purchase an infant seat.
Many infant car seats are compatible with most strollers. The stroller compatibility feature permits parents to take their child out of the car and put it on a frame so that they can stroll through a park or a grocery store. This is also a great feature to consider if you're planning on using a ride share or taxi service, as the majority of these services require a child be in a car seat.
As opposed to convertible car seats which must remain in the vehicle baby car seats are usually smaller and lighter making them a great option for families that are constantly on the move. Additionally, some brands of infant car seats have a carrying handle that parents can use to carry the seat around by themselves. This is particularly useful in the event of a trip scheduled that you don't want to wake your baby!
While infant car seats only last until your baby is a toddler and they outgrow the weight and height limits, some convertible car seats can be used as a rear facing infant car seat, and later converted to a forward facing car seat for older children. These all-in one seats are great if you're looking to keep your child safe in a seat for as long as is possible. There is a convertible car seat that can be converted into an high-back booster seat once your child has outgrown its harness (or exceeds the limit on weight and height). Make sure to check for this feature when looking through choices!
Easy of Use
A rear-facing infant carrier seat is an infant car seat that snaps onto the base of your car. These seats are designed to keep infants and toddlers safe until they reach weight and height requirements for a booster. Many infant car seats are compatible with strollers. This makes it simple to move your child from the car into the stroller without disrupting their nap.
Find an infant seat that has an attachable carrier that you can attach to the base of a stroller or a car. This will make it easier to get your baby into and out of the vehicle especially when their nap is about to end or they are hungry, thirsty, or bored. Examine the shoulder strap slots to ensure that they are placed correctly for your child. If the straps have been placed too low or high, they cannot be used properly in a crash and could be dangerous.
Some infant car seats also include lower anchors that are able to be used without the base, which is great for taxi rides as well as when traveling on planes. Make sure that the lower anchors are easy to install, have an European routing and are easy to release. We are also able to hear an audible "click" when the seat is securely secured. It's also helpful to find a seat with an easy-to-use harness and adjustment features, like Graco's Click Connect or the UPPAbaby SmartSecure option.
Convertible car seats are the next step after an infant carrier. They can be used up until your child is at the weight or height requirements for a booster. They can be used conjunction with a stroller however they do not offer the newborn fit or convenience of a baby carrier. Some convertible seats convert into boosters however they are generally larger and less portable which makes them difficult to maneuver in vehicles with limited space or when transporting children in busy areas.
Installation
Installing car seats, and particularly infant car seats, can be difficult. It is crucial to install car seats safely and correctly. This can be affected by the seat position as well as the angle of base, and the way you use the handle.
The majority of infant car seats are made to be connected to a base that is in the vehicle, a combination commonly referred to as a travel system. These seats are designed for rear-facing use which is more secure than forward-facing. Most car seats come with an angle indicator built in that can be used to determine if the seat is set in the correct semi-reclined angle for your child. The base could include an adjustable angle.
Also, make sure that the seat permits you to adjust the shoulder straps' height without needing to remove and repeat the process. This can be a real time saver, as it will likely need to be done multiple times during an infant's car seat use.
Some cars have a rigid point in the back seat that is specifically designed to hold infant safety seats for cars. They are typically tucked into the crease between the cushion back of the seat and the bottom. These hooks should snap into place easily as they are designed specifically to fit the seat. They can also produce a distinct sound when they are securely connected.
It is also a great idea to try the car seat with an infant before deciding if it's suitable for your family. If Push Chairs & Prams does not connect to the base or your child isn't comfortable, it's time to consider a different option.
Some car seats are capable of being installed without a base. This is helpful for those who use taxi or public transportation services like Uber. You can usually remove and install the seat without the base by pressing a lever or button. Follow the directions provided by the manufacturer. Many will provide a "click" to let you know when it's secure.